Gingrich Takes Lead In New Iowa Poll

With the Jan. 3 Iowa Republican caucuses set to kick off the "real" battle for the party's presidential nomination, there's word that:

-- "Newt Gingrich has leapt to a sizable lead in preferences for the Iowa Republican caucuses," according to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll of "likely Republican caucus-goers" in the state. It shows 33 percent of those surveyed favoring the former House speaker, 18 percent preferring former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and 18 percent supporting Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).

-- "Among Republicans and independents who say they will definitely or probably attend the Iowa caucuses on Jan. 3, 31 percent say Newt Gingrich has the best shot against [President] Obama," the latest New York Times/CBS News survey in the state shows. "About as many, 29 percent, say Mr. Romney is the most electable candidate. Few say any one of the remaining candidates has the best chance at winning."

Our friend Frank James is following the 2012 presidential race over at It's All Politics. This morning, Frank writes that Gingrich may be leading in some polls, but he's still playing catch up when it comes to raising money.